shattering glass. Our car was slammed from be

was wrenched open. A rough hand grabbed my hair an

round. Stars burs

a heavy boot pressed down on

e me. "You think you can get away

rd barely audible. "Yo

ce cut me off. The taste

our camera. Let's show everyone wh

ing me. I tried to turn my head away, but he g

spered, his voice a venomous hiss. "You're goi

d attached it to the back of the

ything I had ever imagined. My screams were torn from m

ull, distant hum. My body was just a dead

the rope and left me in

silence was absolute. For the first time in a long time, I wasn'

ct for survival kicked in. I dragged my broken body to its

I finally reached t

l bed. A kind-faced nu

she said softly. "You have

I pulled the thin blanket up to my chin, trying to h

shuffling out of the room. The pain was a groundin

ld and empty. Cole hadn't come h

er cut, and he had fussed over me for an h

was it all just part of h

eart, his concern, his entire world no

to pay for my treatment. I stood in line

e. A voice that would

you're making me b

same hospital. My body went rigi

ness that felt like a physical blow. "The doctor said you had signs of a

ty. "She's just hurting. Please, Cole, don't be mad at her." Then, her voice dro

his voice turning to ice

y back. But then I saw the look on his face as he turned. It was cold, hard disgust

know I was holding on

ed, clutching her st

her up in his arms and sprinted towards the

me off my feet. My already injured body hit

t even l

f pain washing over me, and

ulled myself up, my bones screaming in protest, and limped back